President Trump cancels Davos trip because of government shutdown

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump said Thursday he is canceling this month's trip to a high-profile economic conference in Davos, Switzerland, because of the ongoing partial government shutdown.

"My warmest regards and apologies" to the World Economic Forum, Trump tweeted just hours after he had told reporters the trip was still on – but that he would not go if the government was still shut down.

Trump's announcement about the Davos trip comes as the shutdown enters its 20th day, making it the 2nd longest in U.S. history. If the shutdown goes through Saturday, it will become the longest ever.

Because of the Democrats intransigence on Border Security and the great importance of Safety for our Nation, I am respectfully cancelling my very important trip to Davos, Switzerland for the World Economic Forum. My warmest regards and apologies to the @WEF!

Trump's tweet is a sign the shutdown could last at least another 11 days – he was scheduled to leave on Jan. 21 for the Davos conference that starts the next day.

He tweeted out the announcement while en route to a border inspection tour in southern Texas, part of his ongoing effort to pressure congressional Democrats into signing off on a $5.7 billion plan for a border wall – the key issue in the budget impasse that led to the shutdown.

In his tweet, Trump blamed the Democrats for both the shutdown and the Davos cancellation, and said he would stay in the United States on Jan. 21 and 22 because of "the great importance of Safety for our Nation."

Democrats argue Trump's proposed wall is expensive and would be ineffective, yet Trump is using it to force a shutdown that has some 800,000 federal workers and reduced a number of government services.

Many Americans have become "pawns in his political gambit to extract $5 billion from American taxpayers to fund a border wall that he promised Mexico would pay for," said Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y.

This would have been Trump's second straight appearance at Davos, a wonky-yet-glitzy event that draws many opponents of the president.

From the singer Bono to former presidents like Bill Clinton, Davos has tended to attract delegates who promote free trade and encourage international alliances, ideas often at odds with Trump and his "America First" agenda.

Trump, however, played down those disputes in last year's speech at Davos, telling delegates: "Let us resolve to use our power, our resources, and our voices, not just for ourselves, but for our people."